Northampton County Judge Edward Smith sentenced Alexandro L. Morales, 24, of Lansdowne, Pa., to probation and a $1,000 fine for the death of Rocco Antonelli, of Philadelphia.

Authorities said Morales was driving a 2006 Freightliner tractor-trailer
east on Interstate 78 on Jan. 31, 2012, when he struck a box truck in Williams Township. Morales originally told police
the box truck driver swerved in front of him and slammed on his brakes,
and that he was unable to stop his 18-wheeler in time, Pennsylvania
State Police said.

Defense attorney Kevin Hexstall said Morales is a gainfully employed, respectful young man who is
helping raise his 4-year-old stepdaughter with his girlfriend. He said
Morales has been "extremely remorseful" and has always been punctual and
present in court.

Morales, who didn't say much more than "yes, sir" or "yes" during the sentencing, told the judge he feels for Antonelli's family, his own family and has been
"praying, going to church and counseling" to get over the tragic
incident.

"I just want to put it all behind me," he said.

Smith said he doesn't believe Morales committed the crime with malice or intent.

Smith
noted it is not automatically a crime whenever a trucker gets
into a fatal wreck, but it would be if the driver was acting recklessly,
he said. Determining what is reckless, especially in a case without
clear evidence, becomes clouded, he said.

***

SIMILAR CASE

Richard Pedota, a New York tractor-trailer driver, lost consciousness
behind the wheel Sept. 2, 2010, in Lower Saucon Township. His 18-wheeler rammed into the back of a parked tractor-trailer on the side
of Interstate 78, killing driver Mario Chacon, of Palmer Township.

In
that case, Pedota told police he either fell asleep or blacked out
while driving. At a non-jury trial, Judge Leonard Zito determined that
Pedota must have fallen asleep due to the lack of evidence supporting
some previously undiagnosed medical condition.

Pedota was
sentenced to two to four years in prison, and his appeals to the
Pennsylvania Superior Court have so far been unsuccessful, according to
court documents.